PM orders plan to ensure food security

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday said that the government and the private sector needed to join hands for formulation of a robust policy for overcoming the existing challenges and to strengthen and promote the agriculture sector.
The Prime Minister stated this while chairing a meeting with a delegation comprising of representatives from various sectors of the agriculture sector.
Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikander Hayat Bosan, Khalil Sattar, Imdad Nizamani, Khalid Khokhar, Syed Nadeem Shah, Sahibzada Qudratullah, Maseer Muhammad Maidakhel, Malik A Rehman Lang, Mian Umair Masood, Ch. Rizwan Iqbal, Mian Ghulam Mustafa Wattoo and others attended the meeting.
Issues relating to the agriculture sector including cost of production, productivity, marketability and competitiveness of the local agri-products and the challenges faced by the agriculturists came under discussion.
Export potential of the sector and the new opportunities generated through China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) also came under discussion.
The Prime Minister appreciated the role of the agriculture sector towards employment, economic growth and ensuring food security in the country.
He observed that the agriculture sector remained the key priority of the government and every effort was being made to facilitate farmers, especially the small farmers to flourish and contribute towards economic growth.
The Prime Minister said that in order to ensure food security in the country and to address the issues faced by the farmers, there was a need to prepare a comprehensive plan with input from the agriculturists.
Taking note of various issues raised by the farmers, the Prime Minister directed that a committee comprising of the representatives of the Finance Division, Ministry of Commerce, FBR and the agriculturists be constituted to review and overcome issues pertaining to input prices, taxes and electricity over-billing.
The Prime Minister assured the agriculturists of continued support of the government and facilitating them in all possible manners.